Police to investigate properties

The New South Wales Police Force says it is re-evaluating its properties contaminated by asbestos or lead paint, in a bid to prioritise repairs.

More than 300 houses and stations in the western region were identified as at risk in a report in 2010.

Superintendant Darryl Tuck from the Police Properties Group says a contractor has been appointed to complete the second round of inspections during the next 22 weeks.

He says it will be more comprehensive than the previous report, which took more than two years to complete.

"Where there were areas that were not tested in the initial round of tests, those tests will be conducted this time," he said.

"We've also expanded the scope of testing as well to make sure that we capture things like painted rooves, ceiling spaces and those sort of things so that we develop a very comprehensive picture of the hazardous building materials that may be present in a property."

Superintendant Tuck says flooding throughout the state will not delay their plans.

He says the survey will be carried out regardless of floods.

"Obviously we're at the mercy of the conditions around the state at the moment so it will be a matter of readjusting the program just to make sure that areas that are flood affected for example we might concentrate on Sydney and north or south coast but then we can then move into the areas that are currently flood affected once those waters have abated."